l pale and
drawn, "And these men are sore hurt beside--Ah God--look! Stop them,
Martin--O stop them! Nay then I will!" And here, or ever I could let
or stay her, she begins to clamber down into the cove. Howbeit, quick
and sure-footed though she was, I was presently before her and so came
running, knife in hand. Nor was I any too soon, for as I reached the
tree Tressady and Mings were dragged, choking, from their feet; but
with a couple of strokes my keen knife had cut those deadly ropes
asunder, and as the two fell gasping on the sand I turned to stare into
the scowling eyes of Adam Penfeather.

Now as I stood thus someone spoke 'twixt sigh and groan:
"Bartlemy--'tis Bartlemy!" and the word was taken up by others,
"Bartlemy--Black Bartlemy!" and all men fell back from me whiles Adam
scowled at me above levelled pistol.

"Hold off--Adam!" I panted. "Let be, Adam Penfeather--let be!"

"What?" says he, peering, "And is it--Martin? Lord love me, now what
fool's ploy is this?"

"What you will," quoth I, "only here has been enough of death for one
night--"

"'Tis but you do think so, Martin, and you was ever a fool! I came
ashore to see these two rogues hang, and hang they shall!"

"Now look you, Adam Penfeather," says I, scowling in turn, "you have
cozened and tricked me since first you crossed my path, well, let that
go! But mark this--according to your letter three-quarters of this
treasure is mine. Very well--take it back--I'll buy these rogues'
lives of you--"

"Lord love me!" says he, staring in blank amaze, "What new fool craze
is this? Will ye save this bloody murderer Tressady that drugged ye
aboard ship, the man that was our bane and plague all along? The rogue
hath been my deadliest enemy seeking my destruction these fifteen
years, and you would save him alive! It seemeth my pistol-butt must ha'
harmed what little brain you have and you be run stark, staring mad,
Martin!"

"Howbeit," says I, mighty determined, "you don't hang these men whiles
I live!"

"Why, there's no difficulty either, Martin, for what's to stay me from
hanging you along with 'em, or shooting you for the fool you are?"

"I!" cried a voice, and there betwixt us was my lady, she all stately
dignity despite her hurried breathing, at sight of whom these lawless
fellows gave back one and all, even Adam himself retreated a step,
staring upon her round-eyed. Then, very slowly he thrust pistols into
belt and uncovering his head